Children’s books about LGBT+ at the Stone County Library raise concerns from some parents, other parents support the books
Pride Puppy uses illustrations of dogs and the alphabet to depict people attending and supporting a pride parade.
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One page of Pride Puppy includes a photo of drag queen and a sign that reads “queer pride.
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Kadee Brosseau DeCourley
The Stone County Library provides a variety of books to community members of all ages throughout the area. Recently, some parents raised concerns about the content of some of the books available in their local library.
The books in question can be found in the children’s, or easy reader, section. At the Crane branch, this section consists of board-style books for babies and toddlers to picture books for elementary-age children. The three books that were brought to the attention of The Stone County Republican-Crane Chronicle are I’m An Activist, Pride Puppy, and They Love, We Love.
I’m An Activist has a page that promotes LGBT+ rights along with a photo of a pride parade. The library’s online catalog shows that one copy of I’m An Activist is available at the Stone County Library. Pride Puppy uses illustrations of dogs and the alphabet to depict people attending and supporting a pride parade. One page of the book includes a photo of drag queen and a sign that reads “queer pride.” One copy of Pride Puppy is available in Stone County. The description on the back of They Love, We Love says the book helps teach “tolerance, acceptance and inclusion to young children.” Two copies of the book are available in Stone County, one in Crane and one in Galena.
Cory Metcalf has three young children and opposes the books being in the children’s section of the library.
“I'm very frustrated. This is very inappropriate for small children, or any child, to be exposed to,” Metcalf said.
Another local parent, Amber Rinehart, said she supports the content being accessible by children.
“I think that it is 2022 and the more we shelter our children from the real world the more likely they are to be ignorant about real life when they grow up. If there are books about straight relationships in the.children’s section, I don't see issue with there being books about gay couples,” Rinehart said.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Stone County Library Rebecca Payne said she has not received any formal complaints about any of the library’s items.
“We provide a variety of library materials for people from many different backgrounds, and we have a duty to ensure that there is representation for all taxpayers in the county,” Payne explained. “We try to provide materials for everyone. As a part of that, we also have picture books from different religious perspectives. We try very hard to ensure that our collection is as balanced as possible.”
Still, Metcalf said she’s concerned about children having access to books that go against their families’ beliefs without their parents’ being made aware of this content.
“A parent should be able to go to their local library and not have to worry about their child being exposed to such controversial topics. It is an overstep on the library’s part. And as a Christian parent, I am always on the lookout to avoid such issues,” Metcalf said. “There are so many other fascinating subjects a child can learn about or read about that do not deliberately go against our Christian beliefs.”
Metcalf suggested adding a section to the library for books like this.
“If the library is going to allow such distasteful books to confuse children, there should be a special section. Parents who believe marriage should be between a man and a woman should be able to go into their local library with peace-of-mind and actually enjoy their library experience. Allowing books like this in the children’s section of the library robs parents of this,” Metcalf said.
Rinehart disagrees, saying it should be up to the parent to monitor the books their children pick up at the library.
“They shouldn't censor books because some people are bigots. If the parents are bigots and wish to raise them, they should monitor the books their children read. Normal people shouldn't have to suffer because a few of the people in this town can't understand that love is love and your sexual orientation has nothing to do with you being a good person or a bad one,” Rinehart said.
She also says the books rightfully have a place in the children’s section particularly.
“I think there should be a wide variety of different subject matter in every age section of the library. You shouldn't censor access to information from anyone no matter their age,” Rinehart said.
The library seems to place the responsibility of censorship, when it comes to what kids read, on parents, as well. According to Payne, The Stone County Library has adopted the American Library Association Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements:
“Parents—and only parents—have the right and responsibility to restrict access of their children—and only their children—to library resources. Parents who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials, or facilities should so advise their children. Librarians and library governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between a parent and child. "
As for whose job it is to order books, certain staff members at local branches have autonomy, as long as the selections align with the library’s policy for ordering books. According to the library’s “collection development policy,” as approved by the library board, and provided for this article by Payne “the responsibility for selecting materials lies with the librarian.”
The policy also reads: “Selectors make recommendations from their knowledge of a book or by the general public references. All selectors must consider availability of space and budgetary restrictions when choosing resources for the library. In addition, selectors consider the following criteria. These criteria apply to all materials, regardless of format or intended age level.”
The policy also outlines that books will not be avoided because of content regarding sexual orientation:
“No materials that meet the library’s selection criteria will be excluded because of the race, religion, nationality, origin, background, sexual orientation, or political views of those contributing to its creation or the material’s frankness of language, controversial content, or endorsement of an individual or group." (Full text of this policy can be found at the end of this article.)
However, Metcalf argues that the books are not fitting for the general population of Stone County, saying the content doesn’t align with the majority of the taxpayers’ belief systems.
“I would love for these types of books to be removed from the library altogether,” Metcalf said. “I'm very disappointed and irritated that these books were found in our Crane Library. As a small town, where the majority are Christians and share the same beliefs on marriage being between a man and woman, it’s upsetting to find books that promote the exact opposite. And with no warning, have the books inserted into the children’s section. It’s very irritating. I thought our library was a safe place for my kids. These books on the shelves tell me I was wrong.”
Rinehart, however, believes the books are fitting for the demographics of Stone County.
“Whether people around here like it or not, we have a Large LGBTQ+ community, some of which have children,” Rinehart said. “They have the right to have books that look like their family dynamic. If you start censoring things you don't agree with, it will eventually come back to you. Imagine if all the non-religious parents protested the library for being a public entity and carrying Christian books. Once you open the door to censorship, things that matter to you eventually get picked off, too.”
The library has a process in place for making formal complaints regarding any materials in Stone County Library locations.
“Any patron who is concerned about an item can request a material reconsideration form. The item in question will then be reviewed by a committee to determine if it should stay where it has been assigned or be moved to a different location. Patrons are also welcome to contact me directly with concerns, and our board meetings are open to the public,” Payne explained.
Payne also encourages people to get involved with their local libraries.
“Patrons are always welcome to make suggestions on materials they would like for us to purchase. That is a great way for them to be more connected. We also appreciate program suggestions and always encourage people to stop by for a program or to enjoy the library,” Payne said.
The Stone County Library provides a variety of books to community members of all ages throughout the area. Recently, some parents raised concerns about the content of some of the books available in their local library.
The books in question can be found in the children’s, or easy reader, section. At the Crane branch, this section consists of board-style books for babies and toddlers to picture books for elementary-age children. The three books that were brought to the attention of The Stone County Republican-Crane Chronicle are I’m An Activist, Pride Puppy, and They Love, We Love.
I’m An Activist has a page that promotes LGBT+ rights along with a photo of a pride parade. The library’s online catalog shows that one copy of I’m An Activist is available at the Stone County Library. Pride Puppy uses illustrations of dogs and the alphabet to depict people attending and supporting a pride parade. One page of the book includes a photo of drag queen and a sign that reads “queer pride.” One copy of Pride Puppy is available in Stone County. The description on the back of They Love, We Love says the book helps teach “tolerance, acceptance and inclusion to young children.” Two copies of the book are available in Stone County, one in Crane and one in Galena.
Cory Metcalf has three young children and opposes the books being in the children’s section of the library.
“I'm very frustrated. This is very inappropriate for small children, or any child, to be exposed to,” Metcalf said.
Another local parent, Amber Rinehart, said she supports the content being accessible by children.
“I think that it is 2022 and the more we shelter our children from the real world the more likely they are to be ignorant about real life when they grow up. If there are books about straight relationships in the.children’s section, I don't see issue with there being books about gay couples,” Rinehart said.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Stone County Library Rebecca Payne said she has not received any formal complaints about any of the library’s items.
“We provide a variety of library materials for people from many different backgrounds, and we have a duty to ensure that there is representation for all taxpayers in the county,” Payne explained. “We try to provide materials for everyone. As a part of that, we also have picture books from different religious perspectives. We try very hard to ensure that our collection is as balanced as possible.”
Still, Metcalf said she’s concerned about children having access to books that go against their families’ beliefs without their parents’ being made aware of this content.
“A parent should be able to go to their local library and not have to worry about their child being exposed to such controversial topics. It is an overstep on the library’s part. And as a Christian parent, I am always on the lookout to avoid such issues,” Metcalf said. “There are so many other fascinating subjects a child can learn about or read about that do not deliberately go against our Christian beliefs.”
Metcalf suggested adding a section to the library for books like this.
“If the library is going to allow such distasteful books to confuse children, there should be a special section. Parents who believe marriage should be between a man and a woman should be able to go into their local library with peace-of-mind and actually enjoy their library experience. Allowing books like this in the children’s section of the library robs parents of this,” Metcalf said.
Rinehart disagrees, saying it should be up to the parent to monitor the books their children pick up at the library.
“They shouldn't censor books because some people are bigots. If the parents are bigots and wish to raise them, they should monitor the books their children read. Normal people shouldn't have to suffer because a few of the people in this town can't understand that love is love and your sexual orientation has nothing to do with you being a good person or a bad one,” Rinehart said.
She also says the books rightfully have a place in the children’s section particularly.
“I think there should be a wide variety of different subject matter in every age section of the library. You shouldn't censor access to information from anyone no matter their age,” Rinehart said.
The library seems to place the responsibility of censorship, when it comes to what kids read, on parents, as well. According to Payne, The Stone County Library has adopted the American Library Association Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements:
“Parents—and only parents—have the right and responsibility to restrict access of their children—and only their children—to library resources. Parents who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials, or facilities should so advise their children. Librarians and library governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between a parent and child. "
As for whose job it is to order books, certain staff members at local branches have autonomy, as long as the selections align with the library’s policy for ordering books. According to the library’s “collection development policy,” as approved by the library board, and provided for this article by Payne “the responsibility for selecting materials lies with the librarian.”
The policy also reads: “Selectors make recommendations from their knowledge of a book or by the general public references. All selectors must consider availability of space and budgetary restrictions when choosing resources for the library. In addition, selectors consider the following criteria. These criteria apply to all materials, regardless of format or intended age level.”
The policy also outlines that books will not be avoided because of content regarding sexual orientation:
“No materials that meet the library’s selection criteria will be excluded because of the race, religion, nationality, origin, background, sexual orientation, or political views of those contributing to its creation or the material’s frankness of language, controversial content, or endorsement of an individual or group." (Full text of this policy can be found at the end of this article.)
However, Metcalf argues that the books are not fitting for the general population of Stone County, saying the content doesn’t align with the majority of the taxpayers’ belief systems.
“I would love for these types of books to be removed from the library altogether,” Metcalf said. “I'm very disappointed and irritated that these books were found in our Crane Library. As a small town, where the majority are Christians and share the same beliefs on marriage being between a man and woman, it’s upsetting to find books that promote the exact opposite. And with no warning, have the books inserted into the children’s section. It’s very irritating. I thought our library was a safe place for my kids. These books on the shelves tell me I was wrong.”
Rinehart, however, believes the books are fitting for the demographics of Stone County.
“Whether people around here like it or not, we have a Large LGBTQ+ community, some of which have children,” Rinehart said. “They have the right to have books that look like their family dynamic. If you start censoring things you don't agree with, it will eventually come back to you. Imagine if all the non-religious parents protested the library for being a public entity and carrying Christian books. Once you open the door to censorship, things that matter to you eventually get picked off, too.”
The library has a process in place for making formal complaints regarding any materials in Stone County Library locations.
“Any patron who is concerned about an item can request a material reconsideration form. The item in question will then be reviewed by a committee to determine if it should stay where it has been assigned or be moved to a different location. Patrons are also welcome to contact me directly with concerns, and our board meetings are open to the public,” Payne explained.
Payne also encourages people to get involved with their local libraries.
“Patrons are always welcome to make suggestions on materials they would like for us to purchase. That is a great way for them to be more connected. We also appreciate program suggestions and always encourage people to stop by for a program or to enjoy the library,” Payne said.